World Cup 2010: England Defender John Terry: Wayne Rooney's Temper Is No Problem

Rooney's rage won't reach boiling point...

England defender John Terry believes Wayne Rooney's aggression will boost the nation's World Cup hopes rather than hinder them.

Rooney, 24, came in for a barrage of criticism after he was booked for dissent in Monday's 3-0 friendly win against the Platinum Stars. The Manchester United player's previous World Cup campaign ended with a red card for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in a quarter final defeat to Portugal.

Speaking to reporters, Terry had no doubt that the Three Lions star man had matured since that incident four years ago.

"I was a little bit nervous myself when he gave the ball away and went into the tackle, but that would have pleased the manager though after the first half," Terry said.

"I certainly don't think Wayne has a problem. From what we have seen in the last two or three years I honestly feel that he has grown up a lot.

"We could have done with a bit more of that [aggression] in the first half.

"He gave everyone a lift. We could have done with Wayne on the pitch in the first half giving everyone a kick up the backside."